1985-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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School Committee Reorganizes, Redistricts, Renovates School Committee. L/R seated: Lynda Wik, Secretary; Paul Newman, Chairman; Florence Koplow. Standing: Geoffrey Pierson, Superintendent of Schools; Neal Spaine, Student Representative; Shepard CZough; James Beck. In 1985, the School Committee made several policy decisions that will reshape the organization and structure of Lexington's schools for years to come. Hastings Elementary School will close in June 1986; for the remaining five elementary schools new dis- trict lines will be phased in between 1986 and 1988 In September 1986 the grade levels will be reorga- nized as follows: elementary schools will consist of kindergarten through fifth grade; middle schools will have grades six through eight; and the high school will contain grades nine through twelve. These decisions followed extensive study by school committee members, staff, parents and students. In addition, the committee - -in collaboration with other town committees - -has undertaken an architectural study of all school buildings to identify physical problems and make recommendations concerning their impact on utilization, program requirements and appearance. A great deal of energy and thought has gone into planning the grade level reorganization. New state- 26 Education ments of philosophy have been written and adopted for the elementary, middle and high schools. Vari- ous staffing and curriculum proposals are being considered to improve program quality and produce greater efficiencies. Great care is being taken to plan smooth transitions for the fifth and sixth graders moving to the middle schools and the ninth and tenth graders moving to the high school. The Massachusetts Public School Improvement Act of 1985 will benefit Lexington's schools, most notably in providing professional development funds to enhance teacher salaries in 1986 and 1987, and in funding new School Improvement Councils. These councils, which will begin in elementary schools in 1986 and in the middle and high schools in 1987, will bring an even greater level of community in- volvement in schools as well as special funding to enrich the educational process in each school. The committee's goals for 1986 continue to focus on two needs identified in 1984: enhancement of self - esteem and development of school- community relationships.